Our Backyard Sanctuary.

When Kevin and I moved into our new house 18 months ago, we agreed that we would take our time working on the yard and house.  Not so much!  We have been working our tails off.  The yard was a blank slate, which was a welcome change after dealing with a yard that somebody else had started in our old house.  Namely the mounds of river rock EVERYWHERE.  Last year we put in the dog kennel, shed, patio and curbing.  Then we worked on adding permabark into the curbed areas. 

As soon as the weather permitted, we were back out there for more!  We stained both our fence and Terrell's fence, put in an RV pad at Terrell's, planted her yard, planted our yard, put in the garden (I am sure I am forgetting something...Kevin will remind me).  Whew!  Are you tired yet?  Here are a few pictures of the finished product.

A view of the back fence from the swing set.

And a view of the back fence from the garden area.

Our first try at gardening.  I am hoping for at least one zucchini, everything else will be a bonus!

 

We have a ton of beautiful perennials in the front yard, but with all of the rock beds I was missing the annuals.  We found a nice little spot outside of the bedroom bay window.  Kendall spent an entire afternoon digging this out and helping me plant.  She is quite a hard worker.  Sidney planted one flower then it was off to more important things like playing.

We moved the wishing well that Uncle Jason made onto the patio and planted some flowers in it.  Historically, every time I have done this Cooper has them pulled out and chewed to shreds within 24 hours.  It has been over a week and she has not touched these or the annuals.  Growing Up?  Hmmm....It has only been 9 years.

The outdoor fireplace and cozy Adirondack chairs.  My husband is quite the outdoor decorator and loved the color these chairs added.  We have some really nice pillows for them (not pictured).

And the final touch...outdoor lanterns for the patio.  It is time to sit back and enjoy now!

The Creativity Abounds.

The girls have been on a roll lately.  Last week they came home talking about bird nests.  I took them on a walk that was not originally intended to be a nature walk.  It started out with both girls in the bike trailer (aka stroller).  Kendall did not bring any shoes, but about a quarter mile into our two mile trek Sidney asked to get out and walk.  Once she was out, she behaved like a very large squirrel.  She gathered pine cones, sticks, rocks, flowers and any other items she could find.  She would run back to the trailer with her treasures and pass them off to Kendall.  Then she would take off hunting for more treasures.  She ran for at least a mile.  When we got back home, they hauled their findings up to the craft room.  An hour or so later they came out with their "nests".

A few days ago, Sidney headed upstairs to work on a "special art project".  She literally spent hours on this creation.  It gives new meaning to the phrase "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder".   She had worked so hard and was so proud.  She told us it was a curtain that we could hang up.  Now we just have to decide where to put it....

The grand finale is their new art center, as they have dubbed it.  Kevin and I bought a deck box last week.  The girls asked us yesterday if they could have the cardboard that it came in.  They dragged the cardboard upstairs and reappeared hours later.  Here is a picture of the fort from the outside entrance.

They even managed to cut some very nice windows.  Yes, we are those crazy parents that let out kids play with scissors (gasp!).  That might explain the haircuts last year.

A view from the top.  If you look really close, you will see that they even took enough care to fasten it to the walls with masking tape.  Thank goodness for touch up paint!

They are now working on decorating the walls (among other things).

During the past few minutes while I have been working on this post, Sidney has been working feverishly behind me.  Now for the big unveil...TaaDaa!

And the winner is...

Me!  The girls, Kevin and I played a fierce game of Operation tonight (Sidney's choice).  I won.  The prize?  The girls had to sing a rockin' rendition of the ABC's.  They certainly put their all into it.  The picture is blurry because of their rockin' moves.  Sidney had the air guitar going and Kendall as poised at the microphone.